The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Zhang Zhou finally had a few days of leisure around the tenth day of the Lunar New Year after a busy period.

There was no need for him to worry about matters in the capital. As Minister of the Ministry of War, the military affairs of the Ming Dynasty had been relatively calm recently, and affairs far away in the capital could be handled at the seaside port. The emperor was not in a hurry to urge him to go back. Instead, the emperor took care of things in the capital. A lot of arrangements have been made, which can be said to clear the way for him to return to Beijing next time.

Yang Peng, who had taken over as the admiral and eunuch of Dongchang, was not in the capital, but at the port. In addition to being ordered to deliver news to Zhang Zhou, he also came to "say thank you" to Zhang Zhou.

Yang Peng and Zhang Zhou met at the theater at the port.

For example, when they were in the capital, the meeting between the two was still somewhat taboo. After all, there should be no contact between internal ministers and foreign ministers. But if the emperor wanted it and Yang Peng was carrying the emperor's orders, then such a meeting would not be possible. It would seem so reasonable.

"The tea is good tea. Eunuch Yang is interested." Zhang Zhou put down the tea cup and said.

Yang Peng smiled and said: "I just got a few squares of tea from the south, and I came here to give it to my husband to taste. But I heard that my husband likes drinking the most, but the best wine in the world comes from Yushu, and our family can't get it from other places. So I had to use some tea and borrow flowers to offer to the Buddha.”

With that said, Yang Peng took out another roster and asked Sun Shangqi at the side to pass it to Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou took it over, took a look at it, and asked, "What does this mean?"

Yang Peng said: "In the civil service examination, a few people have been selected. They are not assigned to jobs in Beijing, but are deployed here. Since the prime minister is going to do important military and political affairs, of course he must be reviewed first. Your Majesty said again, there are suitable people. Talents must be sent to your husband first, how dare our family not take it seriously? "

"Oh, choose someone?"

Zhang Zhou looked at it.

I don’t know any of the names listed above. As for the criteria used to judge these people as talented, this is worthy of scrutiny.

It seems more like Dongchang wants to send some people to the port. In addition to helping him, they also have supervision and other duties.

Everyone is staring at the big cake of the port.

"Sir, there is a war in Liaodong recently. Money and food are being mobilized everywhere. I heard that they have to be transported directly across the sea from Shandong and other places, instead of Shanhaiguan and other places. I wonder if this is the case?" Yang Peng asked.

Zhang Zhou said: "This is indeed happening. The Ministry of Household Affairs is taking the lead. I have no involvement."

Yang Peng smiled and said: "If there is any need for coordination, just ask. Our family will not return to the capital within half a month. Your Majesty has issued an order to our family to help you here. Dongchang is here now. There are not many people who can handle it, but they are all elites. They will listen to your words. "

"Don't bother." Zhang Zhou knew that this was just a courtesy.

Yang Peng's promotion to the head of Dongchang Factory this time is different from the last time, where he only had a temporary position.

This time, even the eunuch Bingbi and even the chief eunuch Bingbi have been promoted. You must know that a eunuch like Yang Peng, who was born as a horse eunuch, can be directly promoted to the chief eunuch Bingbi, the chief eunuch of the ceremony. This span is very large. It would be an understatement to say that he is contented at the moment.

Yang Peng said: "It is not only our family's honor to work for you, but also the honor of the boys under us. You just do what you want, sir. Beijing will transfer a group of people to you recently... They are all guilty. They are the same as those who impeached you two years ago. The cases are related to each other and are now in your hands. You can handle them however you want. It’s all your word.”

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "It must be because I didn't do well that someone would impeach me. If they don't do well enough, I'm going to punish them. I'm afraid they will be criticized. I am a person who cares about face the most." "

"Sir, just give me a hint." Yang Peng said, "When the people arrive, we will teach you a lesson first."

……

……

Yang Peng had a routine meeting with Zhang Zhou. After that, Sun Shangqi sent him downstairs.

When Sun Shangqi came back, he was followed by Huang Zhao and Chen's daughter. They came to report the accounting matters to Zhang Zhou, but for now they could only stay at the door while Sun Shangqi came in to ask for instructions.

"Eunuch Yang has just arrived here and has already taken over the carriage business. Eunuch Yang lives there recently. Eunuch Yang has been asking about buying horses recently and said he wants to develop the carriage shop." Sun Shangqi said, "As for Li Zhang and Eunuch Li, I heard that he has left Beijing for Yansui. Now Eunuch Li has nothing to do with Dongchang."

Zhang Zhou said: "They didn't hand over in person, what will happen?"

Sun Shangqi said: "Before, the Dongchang had several very secret nests in the capital, but I heard that these nests have been closed recently, and the people employed in them have been transferred to other places. Your Majesty does not know about this matter. Even if you know geometry, the people below don’t dare to ask.”

Zhang Zhou sighed: "Dongchang has been a little radical in things in the past two years. Your Majesty may want to rein in some of the trends. After all, these things have nothing to do with me."

"Well, sir, how should we... get along with Eunuch Yang recently?"

Sun Shangqi was worried.

Logically speaking, Yang Peng is the person he fears the most, after all, he is his immediate boss.

But in fact, if he follows Zhang Zhou, he can just listen to Zhang Zhou. He can completely ignore the orders of Dongchang and Jinyiwei. After all, he is following the emperor's order.

Zhang Zhou said: "Eunuch Yang is here to coordinate with me in name, but I don't think he can be of much help. I will ask your Majesty for instructions and transfer him back to the capital. After all, there are still many things waiting for him there. "

Sun Shangqi said: "I heard that your Majesty asked Dongchang to supervise the construction of the palace."

"Then usually accompany Eunuch Yang to the palace to see if there are any areas that are not well repaired, and ask him to help point out a few things. There is no need to interact with him in terms of etiquette, and there is no need to do anything like giving or receiving gifts. Don’t give others the excuse, just think that Dongchang is here and you are completely parallel to me.”

In front of Zhang Zhou, he seemed to want to keep distance from Dongchang.

Sun Shangqi said: "If Eunuch Yang comes, will you make arrangements?"

"We still have to see him when he should," Zhang Zhou said.

"Yes." Sun Shangqi pointed to the door and said, "The previous accounts have been sorted out, and the person who came to report to you has also arrived."

"Just let them in. If you have nothing to do, go and rest. Your support is not needed here."

Just as he was talking, the play outside was finished.

There were not many guests in the first place. After all, Zhang Zhou was here, and ordinary guests were not allowed to come. In addition, the theater had not officially opened. It was just a preview before the opening, so there were only a few invited people watching below. A lively one.

……

……

Mrs. Huang Zhao and Ms. Chen stood there, each holding some account books in their hands.

Zhang Zhou said: "Who is supervising Mr. Xie Ge's affairs now?" The Chen daughter looked confused.

Huang Zhao said: "The files signed by Xie Yuqiao are all handled by civilian women. They have been submitted several times. According to the requirements above, the errors and omissions have been circled every time and returned. That’s all true.”

"You did a pretty good job." Zhang Zhou said with a smile, "A female prostitute guides the elder of the Ming Dynasty to do things, and can find his mistakes every time. Should I call you female Zhuge?"

Mrs. Huang Zhao didn't know whether this was a good thing or a bad thing, so she could only lower her head and not respond.

"Since you are in charge of his affairs, you will also be responsible for guiding this person. I have asked people to divide the audit work into three bureaus. You will preside over the first bureau. I will give you one year to organize the manpower. Keep the number at around sixty, and after a year, if you do well, you can be promoted and the best arrangements will be made for you."

Zhang Zhou said, took out something and said: "Now that you are free, I am hiring you, and the monthly payment and other things will be paid according to the specifications."

Mrs. Huang Zhao took the thing and felt a little excited after seeing it.

She was sent here as a family member of a criminal. If she hadn't been here, she would have been working in a place like the Jiaofang Department or the Clothing Bureau, or she would have been sold to some people's houses as a servant, but she never It only took about a year for her to become free.

Of course it's not entirely free.

It seems that like Xie Qian, he works for the port and is under Zhang Zhou's command.

"Xie Yuqiao is a bit difficult to deal with." Zhang Zhou said, "He shouldn't be able to get into the Audit Bureau now, right?"

"Yes." Huang Zhao answered simply.

Although Huang Zhao didn't understand why some accounts or plans had to be organized in such a way, many things had already established a very complete order, but Xie Qian just didn't follow the rules, which was different from the requirements of the Audit Bureau. of.

"Then it's up to you to supervise him and make him meet the conditions for entering the bureau. If it is completed, a few more people in the family behind you will be exempted from guilt." Zhang Zhou said, "You will also be given a property in the city, and you can move there. You You are still not allowed to leave the city. In addition, you are at least considered a middle-level official in this city. If anyone is disrespectful to you wherever you go, someone will deal with them for you. "

Mrs. Huang Zhao said: "The folk girl doesn't quite understand."

Zhang Zhou said: "Don't you know, there are Jinyi guards around you? They obey your orders. Remember, you are also my people. I am Cai Guogong's disciple. This place is like your own backyard. The premise is that you are worthy of it." To improve your own identity, you have to be capable.”

Mrs. Huang Zhao was also a little confused.

She didn't feel that she was worthy enough to receive this kind of appreciation.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "The bureaucracy here is different from other places. In other places, it is divided into several grades. Here, it is divided according to each department and bureau. In your line of work, you can already stand alone. Then what you need to do is to climb to a higher position, which requires you to show more of your abilities.”

Huang Zhao said: "Folk women will try their best to do it."

"Very good." Zhang Zhou said, "Bring Mr. Xie Ge's case back to me for a look. I also want to see how Xie Yuqiao follows the crowd. For an old man, it's time to change some of his views. If you still have anyone you want to use, just go to Courtyard No. 6 and transfer them. I heard that there are many old friends of yours there."

"But...is it possible?" Huang Zhao was a little excited.

Because she knew that Courtyard No. 6 was a place in the port specially designed to accommodate female relatives.

There are not only many of her relatives there, but also many people who have friendship with her. After all, when the Zhao family was in trouble, there were also many local big families in Yongping Prefecture. The female relatives were basically sent here, and there were even many who had been in the family. When she was in trouble, everyone who had interacted with her also worked in No. 6 Courtyard.

But it was just a place to do odd jobs.

In addition to the female textile workers, there are also people who serve tea and water, make fires to cook, and even wash clothes and ensure logistics... It is similar to the clothing bureau.

Zhang Zhou said: "This is as a reward for your good performance. Let's bring three people out first and you can choose them yourself. I will give you the warrant next. I know your mother and sister are also there...do it well."

"Thank you, sir." Mrs. Huang Zhao knelt down and kowtowed to Zhang Zhou.

This is the story of a woman who changes her destiny by doing things at the same time, and even changes the fate of her family.

Mrs. Huang Zhao also didn't expect that she would step by step save those in trouble in her family.

"No courtesy." Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "It's rare. First settle down in the city and work slowly."

"Yes."

……

……

When the Huang Zhao family left, the Chen daughter would look very cramped.

She was taken into Zhang Zhou's side for the first time, but she never got any status. There were more and more resources around her, but more of them were serving Zhang Zhou's large industrial system. What followed was her. Ambiguity in defining one's own identity.

She is neither Zhang Zhou's concubine, nor Zhang Zhou's disciple, nor Zhang Zhou's subordinate.

Just like the officials and businessmen affiliated with Zhang Zhou, Zhang Zhou could take away everything he had given her at any time.

"There are more than a dozen mines. What I have to do now is to transport the ore from the north to the south." Zhang Zhou said, "By sea route, a new port will be built in Liaodong. When mining from Liaodong, we will also use sea ships to the south. Good luck. Go and supervise it."

Zhang Zhou also treated Chen's daughter like an order.

"I can't maneuver the boat over there," Ms. Chen said.

"You want to say that you don't have your own boat, right?" Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "Your family is from the salt administration, and they know a lot about salt transportation. You know the things on the river, and you only know the things on the sea. "Young Master. I will transfer another 100,000 yuan of salt to you. You can also go to Jianghuai Branch. This batch of salt will be transferred to Hainingwei. There will be several new salt farms there."

Chen's daughter said: "I want to stay in the north and help the master."

Zhang Zhou said: "I once asked you to mine, but later I found that it is still inappropriate to use too much private power in mining. You go to Jiangnan to help me establish a foundation first, and then I will put some of the resources there." Side adjustment. From bank accounts to workshops, the south has sufficient manpower and strong spending power... You don't need to understand the reason. After all, what I need now is to cash in the resources on hand. In the north... this too difficult."

"I don't understand." The Chen daughter really didn't understand what Zhang Zhou was talking about.

Zhang Zhou said: "Generally speaking, I make too many things in the north, and the military supplies cannot be used so much. The cloth in each military camp has been piled up in mountains, and the smelted iron has exceeded the needs of the army. I can only These things become other things, and by exchanging and integrating resources, I can develop further..."

"You are now my representative. Go to the south and help me earn money, then use the money to exchange for supplies and then transport them back." (End of Chapter)